A SCHOOLGIRL was rushed to hospital this morning after she was involved in a collision with a car.

The 12-year-old was hurt as she crossed Seabourne Road opposite Pokesdown Rail Way Station shortly before 8am.

Police were called to the scene by ambulance crews at 7.51am, and closed the road at the junction with Christchurch Road for around an hour to complete investigations.

PC Shaun Ferguson said: "A young girl has been involved in a collision with a yellow Fiat 500.

"She has been taken to Poole Hospital suffering with leg and soft tissue injuries.

"The casualty was conscious and breathing when police arrived, and she's been talking to her parents."

He said there were a number of witnesses to the collision, thought to have taken place when the girl was unintentionally distracted by school friends.

"We'd like to remind pedestrians of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents' Green Cross Code," said PC Ferguson.

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service said: "We received calls at 7.46am to reports that a pedestrian had been involved in a collision with a vehicle.

"The casualty sustained injuries to her leg and back, and was taken to hospital to be checked over. She was conscious at the scene."

It is not believed that the youngster was seriously hurt in the collision.